# Troubleshooting

Fast checks for import, history, export, and billing issues.

## [Quick triage](/content/docs/help/troubleshooting#quick-triage/index.html)

1. Reproduce with one image and a minimal set of steps.
2. Identify where it fails:
   - Import
   - Editing
   - History restore
   - Export
   - Billing
3. Restart the app and retry the same path.

## [Common issue clusters](/content/docs/help/troubleshooting#common-issue-clusters/index.html)

### [I cannot pick photos or import the latest screenshot](/content/docs/help/troubleshooting#i-cannot-pick-photos-or-import-the-latest-screenshot/index.html)

- Confirm Photo Library access is allowed.
- Re-open the picker and retry.
- Try `Select a photo` if `Import latest screenshot` is unavailable.
- Confirm the source image still exists in your library.

### [Recent screenshots cannot be framed](/content/docs/help/troubleshooting#recent-screenshots-cannot-be-framed/index.html)

- Shotwell currently targets supported iPhone screenshots for framed recent-screenshot previews.
- If you see the unsupported recent-screenshot state, use `Import latest screenshot` to edit the image without a frame preview.
- You can still apply a supported frame manually after import.

### [Preview looks wrong after background or frame changes](/content/docs/help/troubleshooting#preview-looks-wrong-after-background-or-frame-changes/index.html)

- Confirm the active background mode is the one you intended.
- Re-apply frame device and color after orientation changes.
- Check notch mode only on notch-enabled frames.

### [Composition looks clipped or off-center](/content/docs/help/troubleshooting#composition-looks-clipped-or-off-center/index.html)

- Reset zoom and position, then rebuild.
- Recheck the crop ratio.
- Set frame orientation before the final crop.

### [History item will not restore cleanly](/content/docs/help/troubleshooting#history-item-will-not-restore-cleanly/index.html)

- Confirm the original image is still available to the app.
- Check whether the history item references a background asset that is no longer available.
- If the entry shows an unavailable warning, newer history items may still restore correctly.

### [Export looks blurry or smaller than expected](/content/docs/help/troubleshooting#export-looks-blurry-or-smaller-than-expected/index.html)

- Switch from `JPEG` to `PNG` if UI edges need to stay sharper.
- Try `Balanced` instead of `Full` if the source image or frame asset is the limiting factor.
- Confirm crop and scale are not exaggerating the source beyond its real detail.
- Re-open export settings and check whether Shotwell reports a source, frame, or device limit.

### [Export includes a watermark](/content/docs/help/troubleshooting#export-includes-a-watermark/index.html)

- Free save, copy, and share exports include a Shotwell watermark by design.
- Upgrade to Pro for clean exports.
- If you already paid, use `Restore purchases` from Settings or the Pro screen.

### [Pro access is missing after purchase](/content/docs/help/troubleshooting#pro-access-is-missing-after-purchase/index.html)

- Open `Settings` -> `Restore purchases`.
- Re-open `Shotwell Pro` and confirm your current plan is shown.
- If manage-subscription links fail or access still does not appear, contact [support](/content/docs/help/support/index.html).